Bandari to prioritise Shield Cup over KPL

(FILE) Bandari FC head coach Benard Mwalala barks instructions from the touchline against Posta Rangers Fc during their Kenyan Premier League match at Kenyatta stadium at Camp Toyoyo stadium on August 04, 2018. Bandari FC won 3-1. Photo/Kelly Ayodi/Sportpicha/ Citizen

In Summary

Bandari FC will prioritise Shield Cup over the Kenya Premier League as the best route to play continental football next season according to head coach Bernard Mwalala.

Bandari FC will prioritise Shield Cup over the Kenya Premier League as the best route to play continental football next season according to head coach Bernard Mwalala.

Mwalala insists he will have to ‘seriously think’ on winning the Shield cup; potentially offering a more viable passage into next season’s CAF confederations given their title hopes have been growing slim and thin with each passing week, thanks to Gor Mahia’s impressive form.

Bandari have been unable to take advantage Gor Mahia and Sofapaka’s situations that saw them drop league points with Mwalala admitting it’s hard to catch.

“This is the only opportunity for us to play teams outside the country next season and that’s why I fielded a stronger side today because anything can happen in a knockout match. We have to put all our efforts to the shield and try to win it because its now difficult to catch Gor,” Mwalala told Citizen Digital.

Bandari FC players line-up against Mt. Kenya FC during their SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha stadium in Nakuru on January 12,2019. Photo/Vincent Ooro/Sportpicha/Citizen

Confident he is that the Shield is their best chance of securing Confederations football but the gaffer insists he will have ‘no regrets’ if his side ultimately fail to win the competition.

With Kariobangi Sharks booking the dockers in what could be a mouth-watering final, it will be a repeat of this year’s Super cup final staged in Dar es salaam where Sharks won 1-0 at the National stadium, Tanzania.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after his side snatched a 1-0 win in a second semi final clash, thanks to Bolton Omwenga’s second half own goal, Sharks coach William Muluya believes the contest will be a hard task noting that their opponents have been dominating them in the domestic league but believes his side have nothing to lose.

“It will be a difficult one,” said Muluya.

“They(Bandari) have been dominating us in the league but this is a final.You make one mistake and you are out. I don’t think things will be the same like what we did in Dar es slaam but we want to win this cup and have something to show to our fans,”said Muluya.

Sharks will be looking to defend the title they won last season while Bandari will be chasing their second trophy in their cabinet having won it four seasons ago.

The winner will take home Ksh 2 Million prize money with also an opportunity to represent Kenya in next season’s CAF Confederations.